Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach has confirmed the most pressing and important matter for the Government and the Oireachtas is to deal with those in mortgage distress. Later this week, we will get the exact figures but it is expected that up to 25% of mortgages are in distress with over 10% 90 days or more in arrears. I have referred to these figures time and time again since last October. I am not going to move an amendment to the Order of Business on this matter. However, will the Leader give a commitment to get the Minister for Finance to attend the House next week? We need the Minister for Finance on this issue, no disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, for whom I have immense regard. Should I not get a response to this request by Wednesday week, I give notice that every successive day I will table amendments to the Order of Business. I appreciate the House is not sitting next week. If a date is not set for that debate I will continue to table amendments to the Order of Business. We need a proper debate in order that we know what is happening in that regard.

I asked last week and on seven separate occasions in recent months about the publication of the pyrite report. In a reply last week I was told that the Government was planning to publish the report by the end of the month? Is that correct? If so, I look forward to seeing it. Will the Leader give a commitment to arrange for a debate on the report? Pyrite potentially affects up to 72,500 houses and apartments predominantly on the east coast, mainly the north east, but including the city and county of Dublin. We should be afforded sufficient time after publication to allow us consider the report after which it should be debated in the House.

I welcome the Private Members' motion on the national lottery which is tabled for debate.

I call for a further debate on the sale of State assets and what is being proposed. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to come to the House for that debate.

I noted with grave concern yesterday the case in regard to a double murder in 1988 where a person signed himself back into the Central Mental Hospital having escaped some years ago. I understand the State will be caught in a bind in respect of this individual and that he will be able to seek release from the Central Mental Hospital on the basis that he was not tried because he was deemed insane. I am interested to hear the Government's response and, particularly, that of the Minister for Justice and Equality. This brings me to the issue of justice in general.

Many colleagues on all sides of the House and I have requested time and again that the Minister for Justice and Equality come to the House to discuss the Government's stance on policing. I have given specific examples, including the fact that the Government is planning to close 400 Garda stations in the next three years. That is contained in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report. The Government has closed busy urban stations and rural stations. As I got no answer last week or the previous week, to my request I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Justice and Equality come to the House and address the Government's plans for upholding the safety of citizens and, specifically, its plans for policing and the number of Garda stations it considers optimal in Ireland today.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence. What we are getting is a drip-drip feed. He closed 39 Garda stations last year and proposes to close 40 this year. The Minister must come to the House to make a clear statement on where the Government stands on policing.